Unhoused resources in Monterey County ahead of the freeze advisory
MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) -- As part of the "inclement weather response," the Department of Social Services offers motel vouchers to participating homeless service providers as a last-resort emergency shelter tool for the unhoused in needed.
During the Central Coast's current weather conditions, areas in Salinas as well as North and South counties are included in the voucher option, according to the county. The voucher time lasts from December 30 through January 1, 2025.
The county says that motel vouchers are provided only if shelters are at capacity and an unhoused person has no other option for safe shelter.
"It is important to note that those seeking shelter from the cold must first make contact by going to an established shelter for assistance before vouchers are provided," said the county.
The Coalition of Homeless Services Providers (CHSP) offered a statement in response to the inclement weather conditions set to span the Central Coast from November 1, 2024 through March 1, 2025.
"Leading up to the inclement weather season, CHSP takes several proactive steps, including updating the county’s emergency shelter list, working in tandem with shelter operators to temporarily expand their capacity and partnering with MCDSS to distribute inclement weather voucher packets to participating homeless outreach agencies," wrote CHSP in the statement.
They said that they are also sending out weather alerts to service providers in order to help make advanced arrangements with shelters. Organizations wanting to join in the county's Inclement Weather Response are asked to contact Alex Soltero at solteroar@countyofmonterey.gov.
A list of both day and night shelters is available here.
